Thursday, February 18, 2010

Buyers, this is YOUR market! Take advantage of it by considering some of the reasons why it is a great time to by real estate1. Property Values are VERY Reasonable!
In Manatee and Sarasota Counties, home prices are more than 20% lower than 12 months ago! There are no guarantees when values will rise again so act now to find an amazing deal.2. YOU have Bargaining Power.
With so much inventory on the market, many sellers are making additional concessions in order to close the deal, like paying closing costs, sometimes offering owner financing or lowering the price for updates or repairs.3. Mortgage Rates are LOW!
Historically low rates, Need I say more?4. TAX Credit
You may be eligible for a tax credit whether you are a first time home-buyer or a repeat buyer, but you must act fast! Eligibility ends April 30th, 2010To search listings, please visit lexleroy.com

Friday, January 15, 2010

After hiring a real estate agent and deciding to put your home on the market, here is how to turn your house into an irresistible and marketable home. With so many properties on the market today, you want yours to stand out! Preparation is the key to selling your home fast and for top dollar.1. Disassociate yourself with your home.

Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.

Don't look backwards -- look toward the future!

2. Depersonalize

Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. You don't want buyers to be distracted. You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here.

3. Get Rid of the Clutter!

People collect an amazing quantity of junk. General Rule: if you haven't used it in over a year, you most likely do not need it. If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?

Pack up knickknacks.

Clean off everything on kitchen counters.

Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.

Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

4. Organize Closets and Cabinets

Buyers will open closet and cabinet doors. Imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well.

5. Rent a Storage Unit

Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around.

6. Remove and/or Replace Favorite Items that you Intend to Keep

If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Buying a foreclosed home could be a good idea for someone looking for a bargain, here are a few things to think about before making the decision.

Hire an Agent

Consider hiring a real estate agent with experience in foreclosed properties so that they will be able to better assist you in the process. If you work with an agent, make sure they know your priorities. Make sure to ask any potential agents if they have experience with foreclosure sales.

Prioritize

Make a checklist of what is important to you in a home and then prioritize them so that you are able to stay focused while searching for your new home or investment.

Keep Focused

Once you begin looking at properties, make detailed notes and compare them to your checklist to determine if each home is the right fit for you. This will help you to make your final decision by weeding out properties that do not have the qualities that you are looking for.

Do Your Research

Once you have made a decision and found the property that you would like to buy, you need to find out as much as you can about it and the circumstances that contributed to its' foreclosed status. The primary sources for this information are county assessors and recorders offices, title companies, your real estate agent and the owner.

To determine whether a foreclosed house is a good buy or investment, your agent should research sales comparables, property history, and title status that may affect the value of the property. Before you close the deal on any property, it is recommended that you do a complete title search through a title company.

Factor in the Cost of Repair

Depending how long a property has been vacant and whether the last owner maintained it well or not, a foreclosed home may have a lot of fixing up to be done. In addition to inspecting the property yourself, it is important to have the property professionally inspected. Banks generally require a home inspection when lending money for a mortgage anyway. Estimate the cost of repair to determine whether the property is still the right one for you.

About Me

I grew up on Anna Maria Island and in Bradenton where I attended Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School through middle school then graduated from Manatee High in 2001. After high school I moved to Fort Lauderdale to study fashion design and worked in fashion for a short stint; ultimately realizing that it was not what I really wanted to do I began my career in sales and got my real estate license. Because I know and love this area, this is where I decided to begin my career in real estate. Real estate is my passion and I truly enjoy every day that I get to assist someone in buying or selling. I am relatively new to the industry, though I have been surrounded by it my entire life. I am a third generation real estate agent; my grandparents, mother and father all sell or sold real estate as well as 2 of my siblings; so needless to say I have been completely immersed in the business since a very young age. I am constantly attending seminars and classes to further my knowledge of the business and market conditions. I make sure to stay up to date with all matters involving local residential real estate to better assist my clients and to help them to make the best decision possible when buying or selling.